Advice on Doxycycline with Steroids (anxiety and brain fog)

[SomersetKatharine]

Hello there, I am new to this community, and I am hoping to get some advice about my asthma.

Since last November, my asthma has taken a turn for the worse and hasn't recovered from the 2 attacks I had (one minor, the other moderate). After lots of antibiotics and steroids to clear up the infection, I ended up finding relief in an antihistamine tablet that I took on the off chance it might just work, and it did. Since then, I stopped with the steroids, and have (in agreement with the lung centre) continued to take antihistamines until last week (8 months in total), to make sure that my chest wasn't exposed to the usual pollen as it has weakened after the second attack. I also have a mould allergy so it needed to be out out of the autumn season. Anyway, since I moved in June, I have had another infection so took my usual Amoxicillin. After two rounds it cleared up temporarily but not quite, so Dr has put me onto Doxycycline, and Lung centre has also advised me to take Steroids as well. I'm not over keen on the Steroids, and this is the first time I have taken Doxycycline so am unfamiliar with the combination. It did help me with my breathing after a couple of hours no doubt about that, but I do have a touch of anxiety and brain fog after taking them, so am not keen on taking the Steroids as well (as they have this affect on me too). I don't want to just jump back onto antihistamines until I know what I am dealing with, and it feels like an infection to me. Possibly a continuation from the last one, and in combination of stopping antihistamines which may have masked it a bit, but I can't be sure of that.

So my question is; has anyone suffered with anxiety side affects with Doxycycline and has taking steroids exacerbated this anxiety? And of course any insights you may have to my antihistamine usage would be helpful too.

Thanking you all in advance

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome Katharine don't know if you saw my reply to to someone about acid reflux and Doxycycline..I was exactly the same on them totally anxious and talking like one of the Chipmunks,Ger

[SomersetKatharine in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ger, thank you for replying. So did it clear up the infection? And did you take these with Steroids? x

[Hidden in reply to SomersetKatharine]

On more than one occasion Katharine and I've bronchiectasis asthma and asbestos in lungs but as I say side effects not nice but Doxycycline pretty effective for infections

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry usually prednisone also at same time

[SomersetKatharine in reply to Hidden]

Great, thank you. I'll give it a go as advised.

[SomersetKatharine in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, its a bugger trying to work out what works and what doesn't. I don't think Amoxicillin is doing the trick anymore.

[Hidden in reply to SomersetKatharine]

Hope you enjoy the site it great so many knowledgeable and lovely supportive people here and fun whilst tackling some quite serious health matters..buy for now let us know how you get on 😊

[JANET127]

Hello, I want to say something about the brain fog! My sister and I both get brain fog! I hate it, I always thought maybe it has to do with depression. We also have anxiety..it runs in our family. Anyway, I read that brain fog means you're dehydrated! It said drink more water! Sounds good to me! Hope this helps! Janet127

[Maximonkey]

Hi SomersetKatharine, I have allergies so antihistamine tabs are to me a way of life. I have allergic asthma and Bronchiectasis too. Before my diagnosis of Bronchiectasis I was given Doxycycline regularly and they did not work for me, however, I can identify with the brain fog problem. I feel a little out of it when I take Doxy and steroids too have this effect. I recently had Doxy prescribed for an bacterial infection in my leg and I kept losing concentration. I was glad to finish them, they did not cure the infection and I had to then take another 7 days course of another stronger antibiotic. I would suggest you see your GP and have a frank discussion about how you feel when you take Doxy. Because you have had good results with antihistamine tablets I would also speak with the doctor about this too. It could be you are allergic to things you have not thought about. The GP may send you for allergy testing although I am 72 and I have only been tested twice in my life. Take care and let us know how you get on. Maximonkey

[SomersetKatharine in reply to Maximonkey]

Hello Maximonkey, I must apologise for the delay. I have only just been able to access my account after months of being locked out of it, so didn't see your reply until just now. Thank you for taking the time to answer.

The brain fog did subside...

[hallentine47]

I have been on steroids for over 5 years and the dose varies depending on if I have an infection or not. I add Doxy when I have an infection. I have suffered terribly with anxiety attacks and take Lorazepan which helps calm me. I have noticed mood swings and irritability when taking higher doses of steroid but I take so many other meds for a variety of conditions so I am never sure which one is causing the most unpleasant side effect. Have a chat with your respiratory nurse or GP. I have given up trying to leave the steroids totally as I become very breathless even when I drop to 10 mg a day. Currently I am well and still need 13 mg a day.

[SomersetKatharine in reply to hallentine47]

Again, I must apologise for the delay. As I mentioned to another responder, I have only just been able to access my account again.

I'm sorry to hear you are so bogged down with medication. A friend of mine has to take Steroids daily to manage his COPD. It's really difficult when one thing is affecting the other, but also needed to manage the condition. It makes isolating side affects all the more challenging.

Steroids definitely affects the mood, and can affect sleep too. Still, they are life saving drugs. What condition do you have?

[hallentine47 in reply to SomersetKatharine]

I have Emphysema COPD, cardiovascular disease, AF, had a samll stroke a couple of years ago and have 23% projeced lung remaining and I am 72. Stopped smoking when diagnosed 14 yeras ago but had also worked in my own small furniture business sanding wood and polishing using toxins for 20 years. My community nurse and GP tell me that they can do no more following 19 days in ICU and a month in Hosptal with virule pnuemonia.

[Perrythomas]

Taken both but for Emphysema exacerbations, I hate taking steroid because I end up with a brain that is running at 200 MPH and it’s stressing because I can’t sleep. I wouldn’t be afraid to try what works for you. Check out the asthma diagnosis because initially I was told I had asthma but Later diagnosis was COPD - but don’t despair- That was 15 years ago and I haven’t got worse. Still cycling etc. Good luck 😳💕

[SomersetKatharine]

I get that, the insomnia bit. I think exercise is good for anything with breathing difficulties, although damp wet weather needs to be tackled differently - for me at least.

[Barong]

Hi there, I can share my experience with Doxycycline, as I was in a similar situation. I was prescribed Doxycycline to treat an infection, and it worked well for me in clearing up the issue quite quickly. However, I did notice some mild anxiety and brain fog after taking it, which was a bit unsettling at first. But soon these symptoms passed. The key is to use only high-quality Doxycycline. Personally, I ordered mine from this pharmacy – global-world-delivery.com/c..., and their quality is always good. If you're sensitive to steroids, I understand your hesitation, as they can also contribute to heightened anxiety and cognitive fog.

My advice would be to closely monitor your symptoms when combining Doxycycline with steroids. If the anxiety becomes overwhelming, it might be worth adjusting the steroid dosage or considering alternatives, but always under your doctor's guidance. Also, you might want to consider taking Doxycycline with food, as it can help mitigate some of the side effects. Stay in touch with your healthcare provider about how you’re feeling, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need further support.